Landmark Year in Political Evolution

Cameroon is now firmly on the path of entrenching the ongoing democratisation build up that began with the rebirth of multiparty politics in the 1990s. The several mutations that came with the creation of other political parties to compete for space with the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, CPDM led to the adoption of the 18 January 1996 Constitution that was later amended in 2008 with a key provision being the introduction of a bicameral parliamentary system.

Article 67 (1) of the Constitution states that; "The new institutions of the Republic provided for under this Constitution shall be set up progressively." Thus, the effective putting in place of the Senate in 2013 marks a turning point in the life of the nation, given that only the Constitutional Council which President Paul Biya has said is imminent, is lacking to complete the institutional set-up in Cameroon.

As the Head of State announced in his New Year message last year that 2013 will be dedicated to elections, speculations were rife as many wondered which elections will come first and when. The convening of the electorate for 14 April 2013 to elect the pioneer breed of Senators in Cameroon through indirect suffrage set the tone, followed by the Electoral College for the 30 September 2013 twin Municipal and Legislative elections, thereby giving room for political pundits to have a clearer picture of the new political map of Cameroon.

The significance of such a Constitutional provision is not only that some Cameroonians have seen their destinies changed, but it has equally fulfilled important voids in the country's management that confirms the sense of stability and maturity that the people have often demonstrated at all times in the country's historical evolution. Moreover, although the decentralisation process in the country might not have witnessed much progress this year, the existence of the Senate now provides a veritable structure where local development can better attract government attention if the Senators are conscious of their role and historic importance.

Because the political vision of "Greater Accomplishments" by President Paul Biya is intrinsically linked to vision 2035 for Cameroon, the Head of State had to make his first internal official visit to Douala from the 14-16 November 2013 where he laid the foundation stone of a second bridge over River Wouri. He also inaugurated the first-ever onshore natural gas production plant at Logbaba in the Ndogpassi neighbourhood. With some 18 companies already benefiting from the gas plant, no one needs other explanations to understand the key role of the firm in boosting the national economy and fostering growth and development in the country.

However, an effective overview of the year 2013 in Cameroon cannot ignore the sad spade of killings that took place in the Mimboman neighbourhood in Yaounde and the West Region of Cameroon at that start of the year. Although there were conflicting reports concerning the number of deaths, the fact remains that over ten young girls were said to have been killed under macabre circumstances with their vital organs mutilated by people of the underworld.

That sadness aside, may be the hope generated by the new-found cohesion within the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon that saw their qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, could be a tonic for the people as they now see their darling team once performing as a bloc. Many hope that such a sense of purpose could go far into the New Year thereby bringing good tidings to the entire country not only in the sphere of sports, but in other areas.